This ride is now owned by Tom Noyce and travels widely across England during each season. It is often open in Leicester Square, London over the Christmas period. Major fairs visited include Cardiff in August, St Giles Fair in Oxford in September and Nottingham Goose Fair in October. It appears at the major street fair in Loughborough in November, where most of these photos were taken.

The ride dates from the 1890s and it was built by Savages for Welsh showman John Studt. Not long after, it was sold to showman John Cole of Yate, near Bristol. It was upgraded and in 1900-1901 was fitted with 30 horses and 6 cockerels (roosters) carved by J.R.Anderson in Bristol. A larger steam centre engine was fitted at that time to drive the heavier ride. This steam engine is now used to drive the rare Razzle-Dazzle ride that is in the Hollycombe collection. The gallopers are now driven by electricity. The rounding boards and the centre carvings and mirrors are very elaborate.

The ride was purchased by Hampshire showman James Noyce in 1950. The ride was then decorated by fairground painter the late Neddy Matthews and deeper rounding boards were fitted. One of the horses, named “James”, appears on the front of the Weedon and Ward Fairground Art book. James Noyce senior died in 1974 and the ride was then travelled by his two sons Tommy and Jimmy Noyce, but ownership has been with Tom Noyce since 2000.

Click on one of the pictures above to view a larger image. When a picture is displayed, use the following to navigate through the show:

Right Arrow - Display the next picture
Left Arrow - Display the previous picture
Double-Left arrow - Restart the show

You can also click on the picture to advance to the next picture in the set.